The environmental and health characteristics of insulation are complex . Deciding on one material over another can be difficult, and , since factors may change, decisions should be reevaluated periodically. In general and in this climate, reducing the energy use of a building is usually the single most important thing that can be done to reduce the building's overall environmental impact. Don't substitute a "green" insulation material for a non-green material if the change will hurt energy performance. If substituting a green insulation material , design the building to permit greater insulation thickness so that there is no sacrifice in energy performance.
See Environmental Building News, Vol.4, No.1 for environmental discussion of insulation materials. See Vol.2, No.5 for discussion of cellulose insulation and recommendations.
See Energy Digest Update, Vol.11, No.10 and Vol.12, Nos. 3,5, & 6 for problems with blown-in fiberglass insulation in attics. Note that Minnesota prohibits the use of blown-in fiberglass.
See also Journal of Light Construction, Sept. 1995 for a discussion of blown-in attic insulation.
SECTION 07200 — INSULATION
PART 1 — GENERAL
1.01 DESCRIPTION
Extent of insulation work and thermal resistance required are shown on drawings and indicated in this Section.
If suitable to the project, a more detailed description can be included, relating type of insulation to its location
1.02 SUBMITTALS
Before installation submit product information for cellulose insulation which shows required minimum thicknesses for R-values indicated and installation density (# of bags/1000 sq.ft.). Calculate the number of bags get desired R-value and submit number of bags to be used. Verify to the Architect the number of bags actually used by the installer.
1.03 WARRANTIES
Provide manufacturer’s standard limited warranty.
1.04 DELIVERY, STORAGE AND HANDLING
Deliver products to the job site in the manufacturer's original packaging. When stored outdoors protect board insulation from exposure to direct sunlight by using an opaque light-colored tarp or the manufacturer's original packaging. Protect other insulation to keep dry, unsoiled and undamaged.
PART 2 — PRODUCTS
When it can be done without reducing overall energy performance, avoid all HCFC-based insulation, including extruded polystyrene, polyisocyanurate, and spray polyurethane. HCFCs are less destructive to stratospheric ozone than CFCs, but are damaging nonetheless. Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is the only common rigid foam boardstock insulation made with neither CFCs nor HCFCs. If expanded polystyrene or rigid fiberglass is substituted for extruded polystyrene and polyisocyanurate remember that both are permeable.
With steel framing do not design the walls to accommodate thicker or higher R-value cavity-fill insulation when the steel will dramatically reduce the average wall R-values; instead, minimize the cavity-fill insulation and put insulative sheathing over the framing.
2.01 EXTRUDED POLYSTYRENE BOARD INSULATION (Rigid Insulation)
Under Slab and at Perimeters: Square-cut rigid boards of closed-cell extruded polystyrene in thicknesses shown on Drawings, complying with ASTM C578, Type IV, 25 psi compressive strength, aged R-value of 5.0, 1.0 perm-inch max.vapor rating, 0.1% max.water absorption.
Only Amofoam-RCY had extruded polystyrene boards with recycled content (50% min.)…Unfortunately it has now been discontinued by the new owners, so there is none available.
Basement Wall Interior: Ply-Foam as manufactured by MacArther Co., St. Paul MN, or Wallmate by Dow Chemical, using rigid closed-cell extruded expanded polystyrene complying with ASTM C578, Type X in thicknesses shown on Drawings. Use only boards manufactured without CFC blowing agents.
2.02 MINERAL FIBER BLANKET/BATT INSULATION (Fiber Glass Insulation)
Inorganic non-asbestos fibers formed with binders into resilient blankets or batts complying with ASTM C665, k-value of 0.31, semirigid type where required for self support.
For chemically sensitive individuals, specify Miraflex. This product does not contain any recycled material.
Inorganic non-asbestos fibers formed into semirigid resilient blankets or batts containing no chemical binders or dyes, k-value of 0.35.
Miraflex, by Owens Corning, Toledo OH, (800) 438-7466.
Where choices exist in the provision of glass fiber insulation, preference is to be given to products with post-consumer recycled content, and to suppliers who take back waste for reuse or recycling.
2.03 CELLULOSE INSULATION
One advantage of cellulose insulation is its regional manufacture which can lower transportation energy use.
Low-density fiberized cellulose insulation complying with UL 723, ASTM C739 and SPSC Standard for flame resistance and corrosiveness.
Composition: 75% by weight post-consumer recycled materials (minimum)
Thermal Resistance: 3.70 R/in.
Settled Density (minimum): 1.60 lbs/cu.ft.
Fire-retardant Chemicals: 100% dry Borate compound
Acceptable manufacturers:
Champion Insulation Inc. , P.O. Box 320, Lomira, WI 53048, (414)269-4311.
American Insulation Manufacturing, P.O.Box 91, Bloomer, WI 54724, (800) 633-3179.
Louisiana/Pacific, Fenton, MO, (314) 343-9103.
Modern Insulation Inc., P.O.Box 157, Spencer, WI 54479 (715) 659-2446.
2.03 ACCESSORIES
Vapor barrier tape: by "Conserv" Products inc., 733 N. Main St., Oregon, WI 53575, (608) 835-7299.
Attic ventilation baffles: Preference will be given to products with post-consumer recycled content.
ProVent by ADO Products, 7357 Washington Ave., Edina, MN 55439, (800) 6668191.
PART 3 — EXECUTION
3.01 INSTALLATION
Rigid Insulation: Install rigid insulation strictly according to manufacturer's recommendations, using adhesive and/or mechanical fasteners as required. Protect installed insulation from harmful weather exposures and possible physical abuses. Protect insulation during backfilling so as not to damage skin or dislodge units.
Fiber Glass Insulation: Support units with adhesive anchorage or mechanical fasteners as required to ensure permanent placement. Fill all spaces fully with batts. Pack loose insulation tightly into spaces not filled by batts, such as space between window frames and rough framing, etc.
Cellulose Insulation for Ceilings: Install in accordance with ASTM C1015 and manufacturer’s written instructions. Provide barriers or ventilation chutes to allow adequate ventilation at eaves. Adjust blowing machine to assure coverage according that of the manufacturer’s coverage chart.
For retrofitting use the following. Do not blow insulation into frame wall cavities where live knob and tube wiring is present.
Cellulose Insulation for Sidewalls: Preparation: Inspect all exterior walls to identify, mark, and treat special problems and hazards, such as recessed shelves, soap dishes, air supply and return ducts, electrical boxes, recessed ceilings, pocket doors, and other accesses to interior cavities that open to basements/crawlspaces.
Inspect each stud cavity for firestops before filling. Install loose fill insulation at the manufacturer’s recommended density. During the installation process choose a sample of cavities to record the number of bags of insulation installed between studs and the depth of that wall cavity. Compare the amount required with the actual amount used to ensure that the insulation is being installed at the proper density.
Omit following ¶s if insulating from the inside…
Where possible remove exterior siding and drill holes into the sheathing material. Seal holes drilled in the wall in a weather tight and neat manner. If standard plugs are installed in the holes, the plugs must fit tightly and be designed specifically for that application.
Repair or replace any siding materials damaged in the installation process. Prime replacement wood siding. Fill nail holes resulting from removal of wood siding with a paintable, nonshrinking compound.
Install insulation in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommended procedures. Use the flexible tube method unless prior approval is obtained to use another installation method.
Use a uniform drill pattern where possible. One hole per cavity is acceptable when using the flexible tubing method. If tube method is not used, drill upper holes no more than 2' below the top plate, lower holes no more than 3' above the bottom plate, and no more than 5' between holes.
Take adequate precautions to ensure that cavities around doors and window frames are filled (except framing cavity for counterweights at double-hung windows).
Upon completing insulating the sidewalls, inspect all electrical outlet boxes and wall switches to ensure that the boxes have not been filled with the blown-in insulation.
After installing insulation, start up furnace fans. After a period of operation, inspect the furnace filter for evidence of insulation in the system. If insulation is found in the system, completely remove all insulation and retest.
Include if desired…
The Owner will check sidewall insulation using infrared thermography. If insulation voids are found whose combined total more than 10 square feet, the contractor will be required to insulate the voids at no charge.
END OF SECTION 07200
INSULATION 07200-#
courtesy of Design Coalition, Architects. , Madison, Wisconsin, USA ~~ www.designcoalition.org